Nelvana Teams with Discovery for Global Kids Content Venture

Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana and Discovery Communications have formed a venture to produce a new pipeline of content for the kids’ market in Canada, Latin America, and around the world. The yet-to-be-named Canadian operation will be independent of Corus, Discovery and Nelvana’s other services, and is dedicated to the production premium content across linear and digital platforms. Both Discovery Kids in Latin America and Corus’ high-ranking kid’s channels in Canada will commission content from the new prodco.

“This new venture was born from two businesses who have built a reputation for entertaining, inspiring, and informative storytelling,” said Scott Dyer, President, Nelvana. “The inception of the venture comes at a time of strong and increasing demand for kids’ content globally, boosted by insatiable viewing via digital streaming services. Our mutual goal is to create a new pipeline of kids’ content for distribution across the world.”

Nelvana is Canada’s premier animation company, producer and distributor of children’s content, with hit properties including Babar, Franklin, Max & Ruby, Ranger Rob, Mysticons and Hotel Transylvania: The Series. Nelvana licenses its content in more than 160 countries and Corus operates five of the top five kids’ channels in Canada (per Numeris PPM Data).

“Kids’ video entertainment is a strong and growing genre for Discovery spearheaded by Discovery Kids, our market-leading pay TV channel and TVE service in Latin America,” said Carolina Lightcap, EVP & Chief Content Officer at Discovery Latin America. “Corus and Nelvana are fantastic businesses with a venerable track-record of creating world-class properties. Together, this agreement furthers our role in the premium kids’ content creation business so we can co-produce and distribute fun and entertaining programs for kids and families across all screens.”

Discovery Communications is one of the biggest media and entertainment companies in the world with a global footprint in more than 220 countries and territories. Discovery Kids is the No. 1 preschool network in Latin America, the top pay TV network in Brazil for eight years, and operates the popular Discovery Kids Play digital app. The venture increases Nelvana’s production and distribution business on a global scale, and is the next step in Discovery’s expansion of its kids’ business.